Your best WW2 Axis Unit

[Heinz Guderian]

I know this is a bit fanboyish, but i was wondering if you guys in the VV (guys that i respect and avoid trolling, you'll never see me trolling in the VV or Personal Help forums, whereas everywhere else is open season for me), could give me some new reading material into above average or beyond the call of duty Axis units (be they German, Italian, Japanese, Romanian, Slovakian et al). Units that performed admirably during the years 1936 to 1945. Any links would be great.

I was reading about the Italian General Messe as well as certain Japanese units in Malaya and the Fall of Singapore and i recognise massive gaps in my knowledge. I do know certain units have been over-hyped, but i am trying to investigate others that get less exposure. I know certain Allied units performed amazingly, but these are well documented and I want to learn about the not much talked about units. Also, i know many units are broken down and added to others.

A brief description of their exploits would be awesome and major reppage will be forthcoming. Anecdotes and the views of Allied Generals about them would be even more awesome. But any info is great.

Thanks in advance.

[Farnan]

The early Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation was good, till they started suffering attrition and had to lower training standards.

The book "Samurai" is about a pilot there and he talks about it.

[Heinz Guderian]

The early Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation was good, till they started suffering attrition and had to lower training standards.

The book "Samurai" is about a pilot there and he talks about it.

The link is broken sir. Are there any other links with info about them?

In many talks Panzer-Grenadier-Division Großdeutschland has been suggested the best Panzer Lehr division also. Personally i would not name any single division as best one. One not so well known would be the only Finnish armoured division, which made huge results with mostly outdated and looted equipment from the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Armoured_Division

Yes! this is the kinda thing i'm looking for. Thank you.

[Kagemusha]

In many talks Panzer-Grenadier-Division Großdeutschland has been suggested the best, Panzer Lehr division also. Personally i would not name any single division as best one. One not so well known would be the only Finnish armoured division, which made huge results with mostly outdated and looted equipment from the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Armoured_Division

[hellheaven1987]

In many talks Panzer-Grenadier-Division Großdeutschland has been suggested the best, Panzer Lehr division also. Personally i would not name any single division as best one. One not so well known would be the only Finnish armoured division, which made huge results with mostly outdated and looted equipment from the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Armoured_Division

Both divisions got mauled badly in 1944 campaign.

I was reading about the Italian General Messe as well as certain Japanese units in Malaya and the Fall of Singapore and i recognise massive gaps in my knowledge. I do know certain units have been over-hyped, but i am trying to investigate others that get less exposure. I know certain Allied units performed amazingly, but these are well documented and I want to learn about the not much talked about units. Also, i know many units are broken down and added to others.

Malaya campaign was largely decided by British's own problems and Yamashita's leadership, at least from British records. 5th and 18th Division were more as veteran status rather than elite, and the only elite in Malaya campaign, Imperial Guards, were regarded both by British and Japanese too inexperienced to serve as decisive unit and reserved as back-up, which was good thing because Imperial Guards were shifted to other theatres and only showed up during the final push into Singapore. Either way, although had veteran status, it seems the innovation and critical decisions were largely forced down by Yamashita himself, at least from British records it suggests most Japanese officers prefered more reserved strategy and often rejected by Yamashita, who gave more aggressive order.

[Nevins]

The Stackpole series can be a bit on the fictitous side, but I think they did a great job with Armor Battles of the Waffen SS 43-45 and Panzer Aces. The former is more focused on units, while the latter deals more with certain exceptional members of the Wehrmacht.

[Farnan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saburo_Sakai

Just months before his death, Sakai told reporters that he still prayed for the souls of the Chinese, American, Australian and Dutch airmen he had killed. "I pray every day for the souls of my enemies as well as my comrades," he said. "We all did our best for our respective countries." "Glorifying death was a mistake," he said. "Because I survived I was able to move on and make friends in the U.S. and other countries."

[Salem1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saburo_Sakai

His entire post-war story as summed up in that article touches the heart. I have no words to say, that is just... an epic lifestory.

[Heinz Guderian]

Repped.

Moar.

If i run out of rep i will rep you later. promise

[Nevins]

Repped.

Moar.

If i run out of rep i will rep you later. promise

If that is what you are looking for, I think the Stackpole series really has you covered.

Here are a few of the search results, I havent read any of these so I can't say how they stack up to those I suggested before.


Messerschmitts over Sicily: Diary of a Luftwaffe Fighter Commander (Stackpole Military History Series)

Beyond Stalingrad: Manstein and the Operations of Army Group Don (Stackpole Military History Series)

Knight's Cross Panzers: The German 35th Tank Regiment in World War II (Stackpole Military History Series)



This last one is great, but is more of a diary than a unit approach.
Twilight of the Gods: A Swedish Volunteer in the 11th SS Panzergrenadier Division on the Eastern Front (Stackpole Military History Series)

[Poach]

I was always thought the 6th SS Nord Division had an interesting story. They started off quite disasterously in Finland but aquitted themselves well in France.

The German Paratroopers I also have respect for, they opened up a whole new layer of strategy by proving large-scale parachute operations could be pivotal. Their performance in Norway was especially important, preventing German naval forces (who had already ran into difficulty) from being opposed heavily at the beaches and generally causing havoc in the Norwegian rear.

[Ishoss]

I was always thought the 6th SS Nord Division had an interesting story. They started off quite disasterously in Finland but aquitted themselves well in France.

The German Paratroopers I also have respect for, they opened up a whole new layer of strategy by proving large-scale parachute operations could be pivotal. Their performance in Norway was especially important, preventing German naval forces (who had already ran into difficulty) from being opposed heavily at the beaches and generally causing havoc in the Norwegian rear.

They still failed at their most important mission. Capturing the King and the cabinet.

[Poach]

They still failed at their most important mission. Capturing the King and the cabinet.

True, though this was due to the Warships beginning their assault on the coastlines prior to the parachute assaults. The Cabinet, King and Treasury were evacuated when the reports of German naval action came in.

Had the paratroopers been deployed in a surprise attack with no prior warning, they may well have succeeded.

They were also tasked with capturing important airfields, which they accomplished.

[eisenkopf]

This unit has a very complicated and interesting history, with some fine hours and very dark moments:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallsch...nn_G%C3%B6ring

[OTZ]

I was always thought the 6th SS Nord Division had an interesting story. They started off quite disasterously in Finland but aquitted themselves well in France..

Mr jimkatalanos would also suggest the 6th SS as an interesting unit worth studying.

[Farnan]

Don't forget the Brandenburgers and 502nd SS Jager Battalion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburger_Regiment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/502nd_S...attalion_Mitte

[tonymurphy1888]

21st Panzer division, the put up a good show golrious victories and crushing defeats

[Pious Agnost]

I've always liked the Italian Airborne division 'Folgore'

"We must really bow in front of the rest of those who have been the lions of the Folgore division." - Winston Churchill
"The remnants of the Folgore division put up a resistance beyond every limit of human possibility" - London Radio

Considering Italy's overall performance in the war, it really is really quite amazing what they achieved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/185th_P...vision_Folgore

(Also, upon their final surrender they didn't have to raise their hands, they even kept their weapons)

[torongill]

The Falschirmjaeger proved their worth during the Greek campaign, capturing the bridge over the corinthian canal, iirc. And then of course, Crete. I read once that the most prized award for the german paratroopers was the "badge" of the Cretan campaign.

The fliers of the Kido Butai, the Strike carrier force of the Imperial Japanese Navy were the best prepared naval pilots at the time of Pearl Harbor.

[Yorkshireman]

Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland (later Grossdeutschland Division)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantr...%9Fdeutschland